The Narasimha Avatar

At last Hiranyakashipu took up his own sword and roared: on whose strength are you so fearless? Where is your God? Prahlad calmly said: He is everywhere. Hiranyakashipu pointed to a pillar of the palace: is He in this pillar too? Prahlad said: yes, in this one too.

Hiranyakashipu struck the pillar hard. At that very moment there was a terrible roar, the pillar burst open and Lord Narasimha appeared: half man, half lion, with eyes like fire, a thick mane and sharp claws.

The Lord honoured every condition of Brahma's boon. It was twilight, neither day nor night. He seized Hiranyakashipu on the threshold of the palace, neither inside nor outside. He placed him on His thighs, neither earth nor sky. And He ended him with His claws, no weapon at all. He Himself was neither fully man nor fully beast.

The Lord's anger was so fierce that the devas, Brahma and even Lakshmi were afraid to go near. Then Brahma sent little Prahlad. Fearlessly, Prahlad bowed to the Lord and prayed. The Lord lovingly placed His hand on the boy's head, and His anger was calmed.

The Lord asked him to choose a boon. Prahlad said: grant that no selfish desire ever rises in my heart. Then he prayed for his father's liberation. The Lord said that because of such a devotee, many generations of his family were saved. Prahlad became king and ruled with dharma.